Tai Chow Dinner

OK, its dinnertime and since everyone was still full from the Kajang Satay Lunch, Auntie decided to have dinner closer to home and not some food court kilometres away. Which is a bit disappointing for me since I was hoping to catch some DVDs from Unker Ho. But then, since I am not working, money is hard to come by.

For those who do not know what to order, fried rice is always the best solution.

(Clockwise from top left): Dad's plate of rice, Lemon Chicken, Fried rice, Kong Fu Chow Hor Fun, Ku Lou Yoke and the new item in the middle, Kon Mai Fun.

Service is a bit slow tonight because the second plate of the Mai Fun is still not here

OK, the plate of Vege is here.... right after we finished everything

So, remember, when you're at that place, ask for the Kon Mai Fun. Its delicious!

Works out to be about RM10.00 per person... OK lor.
If this was in the 90's it would feed about 12 people methinks

Satay Lunch at Kajang

After our trip to you-know-where with our you-know-who to do the you-know-what, we decided to stop for lunch in Kajang. They were discussing on the idea of having Satay at night in some food court, which is like eating a mouldy apple while locked in a freezer. And so, just to prove that Kajang is very near to the City, I decided to drive all the way there. Which is not an easy feat since I managed to go in the opposite directions as given by the GPS.

After some phone calls, we managed to get in touch with a relative who pointed us to a shop which is located just across the Police Station. If you're coming from the main road and the Police Station is on your left, the shop is on your right. But you need to make a U-turn, though. (try not to do that in front of the Police Station). Actually, I was thinking of going to Haji Samuri but with some people commenting that quality suffered since they expanded, I decided to give it a miss.

The shop in question is The Restoran Malaysia (aka Nyuk Lan Kalajng Satay). Although it is Chinese-owned, it is actually certified Halal. The reason which made us chose this place was because of the meat cooked there. The chicken meat are actually from the white meat and the beef is reported to be quite tender (but we did not order this). For some who are used to the normal satay which has chicken fat and the caramelised taste, the taste here is quite dry. Healtier? I cannot say but it is a refreshing change.

One more thing. Parking... is... a... nightmare...

The satay sauce is full of peanuts and if you want it to be hot, they will add the sambal for you, which, in my case, made the sauce a little bit bitter. Hot and sweet but slightly bitter. Also, I like to fully coat my Satays with the peanut sauce, which is not easy since the bowls are very small. For a moment, I actually thought there was some severe peanut rationing in the country.

We started off with the chicken satay which comes with the peanut sauce and the ketupat. Nowadays, the only real pleasure for me when it comes to satay was eating the cucumber and onions, dipped in the peanut sauce. Again, I thought there was some onion trade embargo with India.

Then, we ordered the noodle, which I suspect is the Hai Lam mee and it is very very good! And it actually made me forget about the onions and the shallow peanut sauce bowls.

With the smiles on their faces, I am quite happy that we made the right choice.

Its fresh from the grill and they're so good at it, none of the meat was burnt save for one.

Panoramic shot. Depite today being a Public Holiday, minutes after I took this shot, there were a lot of hungry customers waiting for empty tables.

For more information, here is the address. I did not call them up since I know there is a old lady at the counter. Any smart remarks from me would usually get a "Hah?" response in different tones anyway. But one day, I am going to ask if they can reserve tables...

Restoran Malaysia (Nyuk Lan Kajang Satay)
31 Jalan Semenyih
Kajang
Tel: 603-8733 1160
Opens from 10am till 11pm
Closed on Tuesdays

If its alright with them, the next chance I get, I will try to bring my own onions...

How to make a lamp

Before I start, let me tell you, on the record, the title was supposed to be 'The 2-Ringgit lamp'. But after adding the price of the components up, it was more of 'How to build a lamp for under 50 ringgit'. Which is, well, very expensive. I could have stuck the the former title but then, I suck at shoplifting.

Its not easy to lift a whole building, let alone a shop. Trust me on this.

Anyway, here some steps on how to make your own nightlight.

1. Get some Electrical cables.
No, not wires. Electrical cables. There is a difference; Electrical cables just sound better than a... wire.

I stuffed some heavy gauge electrical wires (heh) into an aquarium oxygen tube.
Why? Because I can.

2. You need Plugs
Really. You need the plug because sticking the stripped ends of the cables into the wall power point is never a good idea since anyone can trip over it, touch the current and die. Or, a curious person will touch the wires and then die. Or, you trip over the cat in the dark of the night, which jumped and scratched the cables and you both die. So, it costs me RM3.50 to stop everyone from dying.

Sorry. No Earth for this one since the whole Light assembly is plastic.

3. You need a container or diffuser
Yes, you really need one because the stupid Philips 5W fluorescent light bulb is very bright at night. I know because I kept staring at it when I could not sleep. Nearly blinded me on that night too. You really need one in case you trip over the cat again or well, its a very good container for beers too.

RM2.10 and if you want a flimsy handle, it costs 10 sen more.
Cut a small notch for the cable to get through, OK?

4. You need a bulb holder.
Yes, you need a bulb holder because there is no way you can hold the lit bulb with your hands and still be alive at the same time. Get the one that has only two screws. This is the foolproof version and its very easy to figure it out. Just in case, here is the formula:

1 wire go to one screw terminal.
Next wire go to the other screw terminal.

So, this piece of plastic would cost you RM7.90 or so.
If you can find it cheap, hooray for you but I am not going to sneak out of the shopping complex just for a few ringgit difference.

5. You need tracing paper.
You really need it to diffuse the bulbs light. A 70GSM A4 would not cut it either. And no, you cannot use the stained pages from your Playboy magazine collection. Your own kids are already suffering from just being your kids and they do not need to be reminded as wankjob survivors.

So, tape the paper together, and cut a small hole which is the same size as the container

6. You need the Lightbulb
If by this stage you do not have a bulb, you'd better go and get one. Oh, and bookmark this post in case you need the instructions again. If you have a bulb, do examine it carefully. Anything that looks like those in the cartoon is a no-no as they're filament bulbs. You need to get those that looks like white twisted pretzels. If its brown and stinks, its broken. Go for the lowest wattage because not only would you keep the environmentalist from paying you a visit but also, the new lamp would not burn your whole place down. So, you need THE lightbulb and not A lightbulb.

Never ever get a bulb, especially those that are rated 300W Cool Daylight.
(OK, you can't get them because they do not exist.)

7. You need spacers
Yes, you need spacers although these fancy wancy environment friendly flourescent bubs are cool but some parts of it are actually hot. Not as in burning hot but hot as in, "If I topple this lamp over, I'll get some nice burnt holes in a few year's time" hot. So, find something that will make sure the bulb contraption does not touch the tracing paper or the water container's plastic.

So, I double-side taped some packagin foam on the bulb holder since I could not find any chocolate to eat.

8. You need ventilation
Honestly, the container feels hot after a few minutes and so, if you have learnt anything from Science, hot air rises. So, you would need to make a few holes on the top of the container or just one big hole. This is for ventilation but mind you, never ever do this to a Politician as although you're doing everyone a favour, you still go to jail.

OK, all done. After testing, I put it on the bedroom table.
There was no "OMG! Dad! You made something!" or anything from the Wife. Not even a fart.

The Aunt from Australia

My Aunt from Australia came today, for reasons unknown but what really mattered was that it did not matter. It is always a custom with visiting relatives that whenever they come over, they usually bring gifts.I know its a tradition and also being polite and all but, sometimes, I felt that it was forced. And usually, it always ends up with the receiver playfully not wanting it, while the visitor playfully wants to give and so on. Then I would break the monotony by taking it on their behalf which earns me an earful...

Not that I do not mind but somehow, I just wished... I wished... there were some NERF blasters involved.

There, I've said it. OK, if I want to be honest, I would want wads of cash hidden inside the blaster. Even chucks of gold would be great too.

Do not think for one moment that this is a worn box. It was printed and designed that way.

Yep, straight away, its a wallet and not some electronic gadget...
awww.....

Kristine got a big baby while Kaelynn had a smaller one. At first, it was a bit frightening since Kristine's was very lifelike.

But she soon got used to it and forced Mommy to give up the food basket...

Oh yeah. Luckily she did not throw it up where the fan was spinning on setting #3

Nice steamed fish and Bak Kut Teh dinner at Old Klang Road.

Man, and I used to think how I can go through chunks of meat like these when I was younger. All I did was use them as sandwich filling. If its too big, no problem. Just fist it,

After dinner, Auntie decided to have some coconut drink

And then, at another place, one thing led to another and now, the both of them had new screen protectors and casings. First, it was Dad.

Then, after some tongue-in-cheek cajoling, it was her turn.

OK, I got one too, since its time I removed the protector as it had some glass chippings. Yeah, and I wanted to show off my Otter casing as well since I'm on a roll.

I need to stop 'Giving face' to my Wife

You know, when it comes to Marriage, there are a lot of things that each one is grateful for. For example, if a Wife could not cook but tries, the husband would lovingly forgives her, smiles and at the same time, swallows that unpalatable piece of burnt biological disaster. This is also a good

You would have heard of the oft adage or advice for young women that, "The way to a man's heart is through his stomach" which in fact, is quite wrong. If you look at the human biology, the heart and the stomach are actually not interconnected. Therefore, if you were to force any food into a man's mouth, it never, ever reach his heart. The worse thing that would happen would be a case of diarrhea. So, take it from a former Engineer girls, if you really need to reach his heart, just follow the shortest and most efficient path, which is a drumstick right through his heart.

But for those who are married, you would see a very familiar pattern in which the husband has literally expanded. This is not a ploy by the wive to keep them from being a womaniser nor stopping them from running away. And also, this has nothing to do with what happens under the sheets although this might be a weighty subject. When a man has a wife, it means only one thing; "Yo, bitches! I got a maid who cooks! No more colognes, expensive haircuts and suits. Just my daily cold beer, man."

OK, that was a bit extreme but in any case, getting married means your meals and laundry worrying days are literally over. And so, the man now only concentrates on working for money, his hobby and beer. In other words, he is contended. And when a person is contended, he/she will stop being aggressive or, well, lower their goals by a few notches. Why run when you can have a veer anytime?

Seriously, for me, I am happy and in fact, very grateful for just the existence of my Wife. Lately, I noticed I have started gaining weight too. Ever since my Mom was in the Hospital(s), I really have no appetite and it sort of got worse during her passing. But thanks to my Wife's encouragement and cooking, I am starting to look forward to meal times and being a bit more positive towards Life.

When it comes to finishing all her dishes, I am actually 'giving face' to her cooking. Good or tasteless, I'll eat it all up. But I think I have to step back a bit on the food after examining myself in the mirror today...

How to be a Doctor

With the cost of Healthcare rising all over the World, its a matter of time before everyone decides to be a Doctor or some Medical Specialist. If that is the case, one day, they would pay you to become their patients. But until then, this is one of Kristine's future career...

I am not sure why she calls herself Doctor Sharon...
I also like how she describes the Bill as Sickness Money, which is so true...

Mistake in da recipe

Ah, just another opportunity to create some new recipes today. What we have here is a steamed 'hor fun' and a 2-day old spaghetti sauce. Maybe its thanks to my Uni days where I literally ate whatever food I could afford and/or keep in the fridge as they last longer this way.

However, once I came back and started working, I now realised that you cannot just combine any combine any ingredient as you see fit. Although my sardine/corn flakes combo still stands, there are others which failed miserably. For example, you cannot mix curry with ice-cream topping or cook rice with bananas still inside the cooker. Apart from the following test, I think the most successful combo I have done was chicken porridge with bak kut teh soup and a dash of durian.


So, will today's recipe work? Let's try it out.

Ugh. Pasta sauce on its own was good, even with toasted bread. But not on plain steamed 'hor fun'. The closest feeling I can relate to you is like drinking warm Coke/Beer in a sauna. Maybe if Wife fried it with some garlic like she used to, it might work.

So, I have to use the spaghetti sauce on other things and dutifully add the soup to the 'hor fun' which was that was originally supposed to be.

Cleaning the Fridge

I had a dream about a great idea to write about this post on fridge cleaning. However, like all dreams, I forgot to jot it down, thinking such trivial ideas would 'keep' until I open the blog page. Alas, its gone. 

A very hilarious idea.

Gone. Just like the cash in my wallet which seems to vanish into thin air.

So, we cleaned this 2007 fridge which was full of brownish gunk and green stuff...

15082012 NERF @ BU11

Woke up late this morning and the result is, as expected, Q was late for the NERF Damansara session at BU11. Normally, its either BU11 (lots of hills and kids) or SS2.(lots of ankle tripping rooted trees). Anyway, I was there for the best moment (I think) as this was where the Head of RA, Mr. MK, created two new games.

The first one was 'King of the Hill' where opposing players from each team squared off in the ring and with only three darts.

The second was 'High Noon', where it was the speedier version of 'King of the Hill' as each player has only one dart. But this is the more exciting version since both players have to be very very careful with their shots.




Anyway, one of the reasons I was there was that I have bought a Longshot front barrel from Adrian and I need to collect it from one of his friends. Its for the shotgun grip project. The Xplorer kit from Singapore is very impressive but due to the cost, especially after the exchange rate, somehow, buying two pieces of cast plastic that costs about the same as the rare/obsolete NERF Longshot is well, to put it mildly, expensive.

When I came home, the girls greeted me with a lot of love and hugs for acquiring such a valuable piece of NERF history.

Here is the item in question. This is the front barrel of the NERF Longshot which does double duty. Not only does it lengthen the Longshot's length (and firepower?) but it also serves as a single shooter.

Before getting it to Pol years ago, I had a problem with the gun grip where after some difficulty sliding it in, I could not get it out. So, Adrian has thoughtfully made sure the barrel comes in two parts, where I can gingerly slide it in just for fun without it being locked.

OK, so the combination with a Recon is not a great idea as the weight is now gun forward, which is killing my wrist.

The truth o the matter is that I wanted this sliding piece which will be used for the shotgun grip R&D

The leftover, well, I'll think of another idea... later

Anyway, I shall use this piece as the core of the grip and see how to extend it from there. The grip will definitely have to be cut and modified since its very short. But it is definitely designed to be that length and I will tell you the reasons when I am doing the R&D.

With my 'new' Longshot, I was very tempted to put in another hole between the two so that I can have three adjustable lenghts on the Longshot. But this is not important now.

Lucky grandchild

While I was waiting for my haircut, I was intrigued by the latest Transformer game played by this little chubby boy. Since I am not sure about the game's strategies or mission, I cannot say if he is playing it right or wrong but he is definitely enjoying himself. This went on for more than 10 minutes before an elderly gentleman came in and sat behind him, hugging and whispering to him.

Moments later, an elderly lady came in and also whispered to the boy, the to the gentleman.

And what does this kid do?
He ignored their loves and kept playing

And so, the lesson for today is very obvious. Its plain and simple.

"If you are playing on a game console like Playstation or XBox, you can ignore anyone until its time to pay for the game."

Daddy, can I have the broom?

That was what Kaelynn asked me. To be exact, she asked, "Dad, can I use the broom to clean the lounge?"

(I caught my jaw before it hit the floor)

Amazing question from a five year old. My Wife confirmed with me when I told her about the incident because Kaelynn sometimes does that when the lounge got too dirty.

Next, I am going to teach her how to vacuum and also mop floors....

Ants in the bottle

There are some ants in the bottle.

I am not sure why there are ants in the bottle.

So I asked the girls, why are there ants in the bottle.

And they could not answer me why there are ants in the bottle.

Someone has cut this cute bottle and then placed it over some purple gum which resulted in some ants in the bottle

Going to the market alone...

There is no more meat in the house today and so, I am tasked to buy two pieces of white meat. Which is fine until I realised how much they cost. This is like buying chicken rice for three to four people! All the time, I took it for granted that the prices are still cheap just like in the last ten years but the cost of these two piece of white meat is more or less the price of a whole chicken.

And all I wanted was a pair of chick boobs. A pair of cheap chick boobs.

Chicken boob, chicken, chicken boob, chicken, chicken boob, boobs.

Sheesh...

Took a Panoramic shot before any old aunties chased me

Goodies on tray. Bought the 'heong peng' from a Hakka Beng, for my Dad.

The Bamboo whistle

While I was picking up Kristine from the school today, I noticed and old guy on his motorbike speaking to one of the bus drivers. OK, so, he's a new face but then again, this is nothing new. But just to be sure, I would watch his actions for any suspicious behavior.

Which I completely forgot about him when the bell rang.

This is something I have to discipline myself because, in this environment, you more or less know which 'regular' parent is picking up their kids; anything out of the ordinary is worth taking notice. Anyway, back to the old guy. He was holding a bamboo whistle and playing a 'tune' which sounded more like random notes. But this is a special whistle because the notes coming out sounded as if it came from the birds on the trees. Maybe, he is looking for his lost pet and trying to coax it back to him...

It was not so. He was selling the bamboo whistles at RM4.00 each.

When I was leading Kristine to the car, I heard the notes again and I asked if she would like a whistle, which she quickly said yes. So, I bought two from him and told him to keep the change. He is actually a disabled person but instead of letting himself believe his fate, he fought and became independent. I told Kristine that even if you're down, you're not out yet and he is the perfect example. Just get up and fight on...

But in actual fact, I believe I am telling myself to get up and fight on.